Research mapping of trends in conservative management and outcomes of fragility fractures of the Pelvis.

Abstract

Fragility fractures of the pelvis (FFP) pose significant challenges in geriatric care, with conservative management strategies remaining inconsistent. This scoping review aimed to map current trends in conservative treatment strategies for FFP and summarize associated clinical outcomes and complications. We examined (1) the types of conservative treatments used, (2) their temporal changes, and (3) their associated clinical outcomes. To visualize temporal trends, Pearson's correlation analysis was used to assess the frequency of reported interventions and outcomes over time. A total of 75 studies were included. The most frequently reported conservative treatments were pain control (66 studies, 88.0 %), rehabilitation (52 studies, 69.3 %), and full-weight-bearing (22 studies, 29.3 %), all demonstrating significant increasing trends (p < 0.05). Outcomes were categorized into objective measures (e.g., mobility, hospitalization, mortality), subjective measures (e.g., Visual Analog Scale [VAS], functional scores), and complications (e.g., thromboembolic events, general infections). However, no statistically significant associations were found between specific conservative treatments and clinical outcomes. Pain control, rehabilitation, and full-weight-bearing strategies have become increasingly central to conservative FFP management, particularly in osteoporotic populations. Evaluated outcomes included mobility, hospitalization, mortality, patient status, pain control, and complications such as infections and thromboembolic events. These findings underscore the variability in current practices and highlight the need for further research to develop a more structured evidence base for conservative FFP management.